MANILA, Philippines – The opening ceremony of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games poses to be a winner in itself as it will carry an exposition of Filipino culture but glitzy, glittery, and star-studded at the same time as the country formally ushers in hostilities in the biennial meet on Saturday.

And fittingly, Saturday, 30 November 2019, is also the birth date of the country’s revolutionary hero Gat. Andres Bonifacio.

The theme of the overall hosting of Games is “We Win As One” and it will be best exemplified by the Filipino’s aspiration to be united in victory and defeat and efforts for the successful staging of the Games.

Prominent and celebrated artists, production companies, youth groups, and many other organizations have joined hands for the success of the opening ceremonies at the huge 55,000-seater Philippine Arena.

It will be a mix of an exposition of Filipino culture, contemporary music and dance, and a testament to the collaboration of great talents.

The opening extravaganza includes Palanca-award winning writer Floy Quintos, National Artist for Music and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, US-based, Emmy-award winning live content creator FiveCurrents, and Filipino companies Video Sonic and Stage Craft International Inc.

Courtesy of the PSC, POC and Phisgoc, homegrown acclaimed singers Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, The TNT Boys, Ana Fegi, and Robert Seña, and international rap artist Apl d Ap will also be on hand to share their talents.

Unfortunately, singer Lea Salonga, who was slated to sing the We Win As One theme, begged off from joining due to conflict over her Sweeny Todd engagement abroad.

“This year’s opening ceremonies are envisioned as a showcase of the enduring aspects of Philippine traditional and contemporary culture,” explains Floy Quintos who is creative director of the 30th SEA Games Opening Ceremonies.

ABS-CBN also reported the country’s premiere folk dance company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, is also contributing their skills together with hundreds of students from at least 12 different schools and colleges in Metro Manila.

They will be dancing in elaborately choreographed production numbers with sets and costumes made by topnotch Filipino visual artists and designers.

Eleven local beauty titleholders headed by Ms. Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach are also participating in the ceremonies.

“The production’s aim is to show how aspects of culture reflect the energy, physical dexterity and competitive spirit of the Filipino,” Mr. Quintos elaborates.

The 30th SEA Games Opening Ceremonies is touted to be the biggest sports-related television special in Asia this year, as it will be broadcast live and nonstop in the Philippines and several countries in the region, including China and Japan.

SEA Games 2019 organizers have found strong allies in Video Sonic and Stage Craft who are veterans in staging concerts and grand productions, and in FiveCurrents which has won 14 Emmy Awards and produced Olympic ceremonies such as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and London 2012 Summer Olympics. (IAMIGO/CNS)